Fan Forced Oil Filter Cooler

ABSTRACT

The current invention consists of a fan forced heat sink oil cooler which attaches to the end of an oil filter. Typically, the invention will be used for the cooling of engine oil on an air cooled motorcycle. The current invention utilizes a housing attached to a fan forced, finned heat sink to remove heat from the engine oil expelling engine heat to the ambient air. The invention externally clamps on the oil filter which effectively turns the oil filter into an oil cooler. The design provides engine oil cooling during periods of idle or slow speeds as well as while the vehicle is in motion. The new design has remedied the necessity of penetrating and changing the existing oil route thus avoiding harm to the engine due to malfunction of an oil cooler. Another advantage to this design is simple and quick installation with ordinary knowledge and skill.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The current invention relates to an oil filter cooler. Specifically, thecurrent invention relates to an oil cooler for an internal combustionengine, such as a motorcycle's air cooled engine.

2. Description of the Related Art

An air cooled motorcycle engine often does not have an external oilcooler when manufactured. For motorcycles that have an oil cooler, oilis pumped through the engine, oil filter, and then cooler oil isreturned to the engine. The most frequently used type of motorcycle oilcooler is a square or rectangular structure placed on the front frame ofthe motorcycle. FIGS. 7-10 illustrate other prior art oil coolers andthe mounting position on the motorcycle. For more information about thestructure and function of a motorcycle cooler, see U.S. Pat. Nos.4,295,964; 4,662,470; 5,244,036 and 5,901,808 and is incorporatedherein.

Drawbacks to conventional oil cooler systems include more expense,significant additional installation difficulty, and the requirement ofpuncturing the oil system so oil will flow through the added oil cooler(see FIG. 7-19 and FIG. 22). These drawbacks occur in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,295,964; 4,662,470; 5,244,036; 5,901,808, 4,690,236; 5,307,865;5,363,823; 5,887,561; 5,901,808; 6,871,628; 6,994,150; 6,955,150;8,267,054 and is incorporated herein.

More importantly, traditional oil coolers without added fans areineffective during idling stops at traffic lights or moving at lowspeeds. This reduction in airflow leads to engine overheating resultingin engine damage. Traditional oil coolers also are often mountedunderneath the motorcycle and can be subject to road debris. Thiscurrent invention mounts on the oil filter and will be protected frommany of the road hazards of conventional oil coolers. Damage to typicaloil coolers can lead to flow blockage and overheating of the engine dueto stopped, or reduced oil flow. If this current invention's fins becomeclogged, the fan stops or becomes dislodged, resulting in no disruptionof the stock oil flow system.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,772 (see FIG. 20-21) has a slip-on attachable finset to mount on the oil filter. A similar advantage to the currentinvention is that this does not puncture the oil path. However, thedrawbacks are that without fans, fins are ineffective during idlingwhile stopped at traffic lights or moving at low speeds. Further, thefins have a much smaller surface area to dissipate heat than the currentinvention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,823 (see FIG. 22) installs between oilfilter and oil; however, this cooler does not provide forced air foridling and low speed travel. Therefore, this invention is ineffectivefor idling and low speeds which is often the cause of overheating of aircooled motors.

Esthetics is often important to motorcycle riders. The outward beauty ofa motorcycle is often jeopardized by bulky or unsightly oil coolers.This invention slips on the end of the oil filter and has attractivecircular flat black heat sink and fins with mil finishing enhancing thefunction and the look of the motorcycle.

The installer simply applies the thermal paste, places invention on theoil filter, and tightens clamp with a screwdriver or nut driver. Lastly,two easily concealed thin wires to power the 12 volt electric fan areinstalled to the motorcycle's electrical system. On cruisers, it isusually connected to the accessory switch on the dash. Sport bikes willrun a wire to the battery with an inline fuse and switch. The deluxemodel for this invention includes a thermo-switch to turn the 12 voltfan motor on and off according to a predetermined oil temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The current invention will be more readily understood with the detaileddrawings described herein below. Additionally, the accompanying drawingsare shown via illustration only and are not limits of the currentinvention and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front and top view of the current invention;

FIG. 2 shows the location of the current invention when installed on amotorcycle.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the current invention indicating the heat flowfrom the engine to the housing, heat sink and to the ambient air via fanforced air;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a factory oil filter, heat transfer housing,clamp, and heat sink in accordance with the current invention. Theexploded view shows a 12 volt motor and connected fan imbedded insidethe heat sink fins and mounted on the heat sink base;

FIG. 5 is a top and front view with numbers indicating a description ofthe parts;

FIG. 6 is a side view with numbers indicating a description of theparts;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a motorcycle with an oil cooler in accordancewith a first embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an oil cooler in accordance with asecond embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an oil cooler in accordance with athird embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a motorcycle with an oil cooler in accordancewith a fourth embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a motorcycle with an oil coolerin accordance with the fifth embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 12 is a backside view of a primary drive cover of the motorcycleengine of FIG. 11 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the priorart;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the engine guard, which includes the oilcooler; in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 14 is a front descriptive and perspective view of an oil cooler inaccordance with the sixth embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the oil cooler fan of FIG. 16 inaccordance with the seventh embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the oil cooler in accordance with the seventhembodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 17 is a front view of an oil cooler in accordance with the eightembodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 18 is a side view cutout of and oil cooler in accordance with theeight embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of an oil cooler in accordance withthe ninth embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 20 is a top view of an oil cooler in accordance with the tenthembodiment of the prior art.

FIG. 21 is a side and top view of an oil cooler in accordance with thetenth embodiment of the prior art.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an oil cooler in accordance with the eleventhembodiment of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The current invention is currently more fully described hereinafter withreferences to the associated drawings. This invention may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be understood to mean limited to thedrawings set forth herein. These drawings are provided so the disclosurewill be thorough and complete and fully convey the intent of theinvention. The terminology used in this presentation is for the purposeof describing drawings and components only and is not intended to limitthe invention. Further, that the terms, commonly used in dictionaries,should be interpreted consistently with the context of thespecification. Moreover, the drawing or text should not be interpretedin a more formal sense or overly idealized unless expressly definedherein.

This invention attaches to the oil filter and conducts heat using theoil filter as an oil cooler via thermal paste, heat sink and 12 volt fanas one unit. Having an oil cooler that does not puncture the oil linesto install has advantages. Oil will not be lost or potentially leakduring installation. This invention is easier to install, costs less,and greatly reduces labor time/cost to install. Additionally, the oilcooler is in the front for increased air flow while the motorcycle is atrest or in motion.

FIG. 1 shows the current invention;

FIG. 2 shows side view of a motorcycle with installed current invention;

FIG. 3 shows a graphical and verbal description of air cooled enginethermal processes and functioning of current invention. FIG. 3 shows theoil filter connected to current invention. The fan and fan motor are notvisible because the fan and motor are located inside the heat sink.Therefore, air can be propelled at high speed through the fins totransfer heat out of the heat sink into the air. This drawing shows theoil being pumped from the engine by the factory oil pump into the oilfilter. The heat from the oil is transferred into the heat sink and theninto the fins. The 12 volt electric motor turns the fan blades at highspeed to force air through the fins and transfer heat from the highertemperature to the lower ambient air;

FIG. 4 shows the current invention. This invention includes heattransfer material, heat transfer housing, heat sink, 12 volt motor, andfan. The heat transfer housing can be made out of aluminum, steel or anymetal that conducts heat well. Diameter of the housing is approximately3⅛ inches. The housing clamps on the oil filter with approximately ¾ ofan inch or more covering the sides of the oil filter. The height of theinvention is typically between 3¼ inches and 3⅞ inches. The heat sinkusually ranges in height from 2 to 2½ inches with a diameter of about 2⅝inches. Heat sink fin numbers differ with a typical number at 60 fins.However, dimensions and numbers can vary depending on available spaceand amount of cooling required. The heat sink (aluminum or copper)connects to the oil filter with thermal paste (heat transfer material)in between oil filter and heat sink. The fan located inside, or in frontof heat sink removes heat from the heat sink to the ambient air. Thepurpose of the housing is to hold the heat sink to the oil filter and toaid in heat transfer. The clamp tightens the housing to the oil filterso during vibration of motor, the invention does not become unattached.

FIG. 5 shows the top and front view of the current invention includingthe fan; and

FIG. 6 shows the side and bottom view of the current invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the purpose of this invention to address one or more of theshortcoming of the prior art engine oil coolers and/or of theapplicant's respected needs in the art. The current invention presents acooler for an engine such as a motorcycle without the need forpenetrating the existing oil route of an engine or adding expensive andcumbersome parts. The invention effectively turns the oil filter intofan forced oil cooler. This system provides supplemental oil cooling viaincreased surface area and fan forced ventilation to the oil filter.Therefore, the design cools the engine at idle and low speeds very easyand at a fraction of the cost of existing oil coolers. This invention ismore easily installed with fewer parts, and more readily incorporatesthis cooler into the original design of the motorcycle, or othermotorized vehicles. Additionally, it improves the function withoutdistracting from the original aesthetics of the motorcycle. This devicetransfers heat from the engine oil that is pumped by the motorcycle'sfactory oil pump into the oil filter. Then the device dissipates theheat into the ambient air. Further, the device cools the engine withoutpenetrating the existing oil system or rerouting the factory oil lines.The new invention is also protected from road debris because it islocated inside the front of the motorcycle on the oil filter protectedby the engine and frame.

REFERENCES CITED 2,781,859 February 1957 Warren 4,295,964 October 1981Preisler 4,662,470 May 1987 Fujisawa et al. 5,244,036 September 1993Michl 4,662,470 May 5, 1987 Fujisawa 4,690,236 August. 1, 1987 Shinozaki5,307,865 May 3, 1994 Inagaki 5,363,823 Nov. 15, 1994 Gittlein 5,740,772Apr. 21, 1998 Bluma 5,887,561 March, 1999 Spurgin 5,901,808 May 1999Swenson et al. 6,871,628 March 2005 Tauer 6,955,150 October 2005 Moss6,994,150 February 2006 Kline 8,267,054 September 2002 Maeda et al.

REPRESENTATIVE NUMBER KEY

1. Fan body

2. Fan blades

3. Heat sink fins

4. Motor shaft

5. Wires to 12 volt motor

6. Clamp band

7. Housing (covering the top of the oil filter)

8. Adjustment to tighten clamp and housing to oil filter

9. Heat sink body

10. Thermal transfer material

11. Notch in housing so clamp can tighten housing to oil filter

12. Oil filter

13. High speed 12 volt motor

1-3. (canceled)
 4. An oil filter cooler for an internal combustionengine that circulates engine oil through an oil filter, the oil filtercooler comprising: a housing having at one end a cylindrical collarconfigured to receive and be releasably attachable to a closed free endof the oil filter, and at another end a heat sink further comprising abody with a cylindrical bore surrounded by a plurality of radiallydirected, circumferentially spaced fins disposed in fixed relation tothe cylindrical collar and the cylindrical bore; and a fan unit attachedto the housing and disposed inside the cylindrical bore, the fan unitcomprising an electric motor, a plurality of fan blades rotatable insidethe cylindrical bore by a shaft driven by the electric motor, and wiresproviding electrical energy to the electric motor; whereby heat isinitially transferred to the oil filter by the engine oil circulatedthrough the oil filter and is subsequently dissipated from the oilfilter through the heat sink body and fins of the oil filter cooler andby the fan unit that is operable to force ambient air past the heat sinkbody and fins.
 5. The oil filter cooler of claim 4 wherein thecylindrical collar of the housing further comprises a notch or split tofacilitate attachment to the closed free end of the oil filter.
 6. Theoil filter cooler of claim 4, further comprising a clamp band disposedaround the cylindrical collar of the housing for use in attaching thehousing to the closed free end of the oil filter.
 7. The oil filtercooler of claim 6 wherein the clamp band comprises a screw adjustment.8. The oil filter cooler of claim 4, further comprising a heat transfermaterial disposed inside the housing and configured to improve heattransfer between the oil filter and the housing.
 9. The oil filtercooler of claim 4 wherein the electric motor is a high-speed 12-voltmotor.
 10. The oil filter cooler of claim 4 wherein the housing is madeof a material selected from the group consisting of steel, aluminum, andany other metal that conducts heat well.
 11. The oil filter cooler ofclaim 4 wherein the heat sink is made of a material selected from thegroup consisting of aluminum or copper.
 12. The oil filter cooler ofclaim 8 wherein the heat transfer material is a thermally conductivepaste.
 13. The oil filter cooler of claim 4 wherein the internalcombustion engine is an air-cooled engine.
 14. The oil filter cooler ofclaim 4 wherein the internal combustion engine is a motorcycle engine.